Trenton welcomes new coadjutor

SCOTT ALESSI|
Catholic News Service

8/03/10

Bishop David M. O'Connell speaks to those gathered for his episcopal ordination at St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral in Trenton, N.J., July 30. Bishop O'Connell, former president of The Catholic University of America, was appointed coadjutor bishop of Trenton by Pope Benedict XVI. He will automatically succeed to Trenton Bishop John M. Smith when he retires.

Bishop David M. O'Connell blesses the congregation following his episcopal ordination at St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral in Trenton, N.J., July 30. Bishop O'Connell, former president of The Catholic University of America, was appointed coadjutor bishop of Trenton by Pope Benedict XVI. As coadjutor he will automatic succeed Trenton Bishop John M. Smith when he retires.

TRENTON, N.J. - Upon learning in May that Pope Benedict XVI
had selected him to become the coadjutor bishop of the
Diocese of Trenton, it took then-Father David M. O'Connell
only "about two seconds" to decide upon his episcopal motto.

And the words that the Vincentian priest chose - "ministrare
non ministrari" ("to serve and not to be served") echoed loud
and clear at the Mass in which he was ordained to the
episcopacy by Trenton Bishop John M. Smith in St. Mary of the
Assumption Cathedral in Trenton July 30.

Joining Bishop Smith as co-consecrators were Archbishop John
J. Myers of Newark and Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl of
Washington.

Bishop O'Connell talked about choosing his motto during his
address to the overflow crowd that packed the cathedral and
the many more who watched the Mass live on the Eternal Word
Television Network and via webcast on the Diocese of
Trenton's website.

Noting the "tremendous and awesome responsibility" that comes
with the power of being a bishop, the 55-year-old prelate
spoke of how he intends to use the authority given to him as
a servant of the people of the diocese.

"A bishop serves his people by teaching truth, the truth that
comes through the Gospel, the truth that comes through the
church and all its teachings, the truth that lives among us a
community of faith, for 'where two or three are gathered in
my name,' Jesus promised us, 'there I am in the midst of
them,'" Bishop O'Connell said.

"This is how a bishop serves," he continued. "Not by being
served through compromise or taking the easy way out. Not by
being served saying only what people want to hear or what
makes them comfortable, striving to be popular."

A bishop also must serve by sanctifying his people through
leading them into a personal relationship with Christ, Bishop
O'Connell said.

"The bishop is called, it is said, to be a servant of the
empty tomb, not of the status quo," Bishop O'Connell said.
"He leads people to holiness by bearing witness to what the
empty tomb means, and that is joy (and) hope."

By relying on the grace of God for guidance, he added, a
bishop must lead by word and example in governing and
shepherding their flock.

"To teach, to govern, to sanctify - this is what a bishop
does for God's people," Bishop O'Connell said. "This is what
a bishop does with God's people."

Raised in Langhorne, Pa., Bishop O'Connell attended high
school in the Diocese of Trenton at the now-closed St. Joseph
Preparatory High School in Princeton. He was ordained a
priest of the Congregation of the Mission, also known as the
Vincentians, in 1982.

After spending eight years at Vincentian-run St. John's
University in Queens, N.Y., Bishop O'Connell spent the last
12 years as president of The Catholic University of America
in Washington. He stepped down from the post in May and in
was appointed coadjutor bishop of Trenton June 4.

He will automatically succeed Bishop Smith, who in June
turned 75, the age at which bishops are required to turn in
their resignation. Just when the pope will accept his
resignation has not been determined.

The emotional two-and-a-half hour ordination liturgy for the
coadjutor was concelebrated by four cardinals - including
Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley of Boston and Cardinal Justin
Rigali of Philadelphia - and more than 40 bishops and
archbishops from around the country, many of whom became
friends of Bishop O'Connell during his tenure at Catholic
University.

The richly symbolic Mass also included a number of personal
touches that reflected the life and ministry of Bishop
O'Connell. He selected the two readings - one of which was
proclaimed in Spanish by his brother Daniel and the other by
longtime colleague Frank Persico, Bishop O'Connell's chief of
staff at the university - and the same Gospel passage that
was read at his ordination to the priesthood.

That passage contains the words of Jesus that Bishop
O'Connell chose for his episcopal motto: "For even the son of
man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his
life as a ransom for many."

In his homily Bishop Smith said that Bishop O'Connell is now
called to model Christ's role as a servant and to continue
the work of the apostles in tending to his flock.

"The title of bishop is one of service, not just honor,"
Bishop Smith said.

"As one chosen by the Father to rule over his family, be
mindful always of the Good Shepherd, who knows his sheep and
is known by them, who did not hesitate to lay down his life
for them."

Among those in attendance were the new bishop's mother, June,
and several members of his extended family. Also filling the
pews were Catholic University staff members, fellow
Vincentian priests, and many of the friends that he has made
in his 28 years of priestly ministry.

The Diocese of Trenton was represented by priests, deacons,
religious and members of its 111 parishes.